Sixteen-day government shutdown third longest in history

Congress voted Wednesday night to reopen the federal government — 16 days after it began. This makes this shutdown the third longest in American history, and the 18th time the government had a spending gap.

This government shutdown began over a continuing resolution to fund the government past the end of the year. But Republicans, who have long opposed the Affordable Care Act, wanted to include a portion in the budget bill to eliminate its funding, of which Senate Democrats and President Obama disapproved. A stalemate of opposing proposals grew worse, and neither house’s leader could negotiate any bills to prevent a shutdown — until Wednesday night, in fear of sending America into default for the first time ever.

The legislation signed by Obama early Thursday morning will temporarily fund the government until Jan. 15th and raises the debt ceiling until Feb. 7th. However, Congress may be in the same situation again after those deadlines are up.

The longest shutdown in U.S. history lasted 21 days back in 1995-1996.